Two startup accelerators announced inaugural teams for their 2020 cohorts this week. BrokerTech Ventures of Des Moines and Iowa EdTech Accelerator of Iowa City will both welcome startup founders on March 2 as founders begin the five-week program for BrokerTech and 14-week program for Iowa EdTech. Twelve BrokerTech Ventures startups will operate in Gravitate Coworking […]
Jim Towey, president of Onset, will join the board of directors of the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, the organization announced this week. Towey most recently served as a mentor for the accelerator, helping past participants develop their business ideas and build their storytelling skills to gain support for innovations. Based in Cape Cod, Mass., Onset is […]
The Iowa State University Startup Factory announced its eighth cohort of entrepreneurs entering the program this week. Eleven teams joined the program, with an evening kick-off held Jan. 16 at the ISU Alumni Center. More than 100 individuals attended the reception, which also honored past and graduating cohort members. This year’s cohort startups are: AeroSeeder […]
The Carroll Times Herald, an Iowa newsroom serving the Carroll community online and twice-weekly in print, is one of 13 North American news organizations joining the Facebook Journalism Project’s Local News Accelerator for digital subscriptions — and the smallest. The paper is co-owned by third-generation family members Douglas and Tom Burns, and the business dates […]
BrokerTech Ventures, a new broker-led insurance accelerator launched by Holmes Murphy in Des Moines, announced the hiring of John Jackovin as its new executive director this week. Jackovin most recently managed the Growth and Internal Services Product teams at fintech startup Dwolla in Des Moines. Jackovin previously led the Des Moines startup Bawte, which completed […]
Startups joining the Global Insurance Accelerator’s 2020 cohort will be the first cohort experiencing a newly revamped funding structure and a recently raised investment. Startups will receive an investment of $75,000 through a post-money Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE), which converts to 5% of the startup. It’s an increased investment from the $40,000 the […]
Applications are open to broker-and-agent-centric, early-stage startups for the 2020 BrokerTech Ventures Accelerator cohort. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 29, and accepted startups will be notified in early February. The cohort will begin the five-week program in March. Each startup may receive up to $50,000 in seed funding, the accelerator said in a news […]
Kerty Levy (standing), newly named managing director of Techstars Iowa, at Tuesday’s launch announcement with Jainen Thayer, chief investment officer for Grinnell College, and Claudia Reuter, managing director of the Stanley + Techstars Additive Manufacturing Accelerator. Photo provided Tuesday was a good day for Mike Colwell in Des Moines. It capped off quite the season […]
The Global Insurance Accelerator announced changes to the funding structure affecting startups that are accepted to the 2020 cohort, which is now accepting applications. The GIA will increase the seed investment to $75,000 in the form of a post-money Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE), which converts to 5% of the company. By doubling the investment, housing […]
Techstars, a national network of accelerators and a venture capital firm, is partnering with Grinnell College to launch Techstars Iowa, to be located in Des Moines. Des Moines entrepreneur and former interim director for the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator Kerty Levy has joined as managing director of Techstars Iowa, which has yet to settle on a physical […]